Prairie Sunset

I think its time I got back to my roots and started creating some interest with my blog. Its been far too long since I've done anything with any serious intent here.

So many of you know I own my own sewing studio now, I teach sewing classes and do alterations and repairs during the day. I've recently joined a number of groups in order to get back into the online world, meet new people with my current passions and have some fun along the way.

One of the groups I do belong to is Sweet Pea Embroidery Designs what I really enjoy about this group is the monthly challenges. I find that if I have a deadline, I'm more likely to succeed in my project. The May Challenge was posted and without hesitation I took on the challenge.

This is the link to the challenge - you can still join if you want. May Sweet Pea Challenge

I started with the 5X7 format for my machine. But quickly after the started I realized that this size would be too small for me to do anything with. So I decided to get creative and double up the size and start making these 5X7 pieces into something worthy of a table runner.

Here is the result of my efforts.

One of the things that really helped me when I was stitching out the patterns was a sample piece. I stitched out a sample piece and would use it as a template for the next image I needed to achieve. So I would lay the sample in the correct position and then take it to my machine, I'd make sure my machine was set up exactly as the sample was positioned next to my machine. 

I'm already working on 7X12 but I've had to resize, so far so good the results are coming along nicely.  I will share when I've got them done. 

CreateAlways Lee

Hello Everyone

 

I just wanted to take a moment and say hello to all the awesome new contacts I made yesterday at the Western Development Museum. I wasn't sure how my day was going to go, but I was hoping that it was going to be successful and enjoyable. Well it was successful and very enjoyable, but not because I sold stuff, but because I met some really interesting and talented people who share my same desires. I talked fabric, sewing, quilting and everything in between. I saw so many friends there and made a ton of new friends. A day spent sharing, caring and spending time with others is a day well spent in my book. So thank you for yesterday. I can't wait to meet up with you soon. 

Recharged and Ready to Go...

 

Its been a long year off. I really didn't think it had been this long since my last post. So I apologize for that. I will tell you however, that I've used my time wisely and have worked hard behind the scenes building my new brand and business venture, that will be launching shortly.

In the mean time here's a  peek into one of the most amazing processes I have taught myself this past year.

Do you want to see what I made - this is my first ever attempt at creating fabric and I've entered my design into the Spoonflower/Creativebug contest. I'm very proud of my first attempt - MY entry is Petalpeek and its by me Create Always. I'd love your support. Thanks Spoonflower Contest





Patio Place Mats

{Patio Place Mats}

 

Nothing says summer quite like a fun patio table setting. I bought a teal colored umbrella the other day and thought to myself how nice it would be to have some fun accents to bring it altogether in the backyard. These mats are just the start to all of the accents I will be making this summer for our backyard. I hope you like them. I got the original pattern off of Pinterest from this site http://whip-stitch.com/quick-simple-reversible-quilted-placemat-tutorial/ - I've changed some of the methods up a little, but for the most part I followed the instructions from this site.

 

I also discovered a way to make vertical lines on fabric without drawing lines on with a pencil. I'm sure this would be helpful for certain applications or working with certain fabrics (vinyl).  Simply use painters tape to make your lines and then sew on the outside line where you want.

 

 Thanks for dropping by my blog.

 

 

 

Sew WHAT!!

My love for sewing started very early on. My first memory of the whole sewing process is one I'll treasure forever. My mom made my brother and I sew buttons on my dad's dress shirts one day. She sat us down in the kitchen and handed us both four hole buttons and a needle and thread. Looking back on it now, I realize it was just my mothers way of getting out of doing the job herself and shutting us up at the same time. My brother and I were both young, I'd say 5 and 8  with him being older. Now I'd watched my grandmother sew often by this point, so this came easier to me than my brother. The poor boy was neither interested in sewing or hanging out with his sister. I'm sure I laughed at him all the way thru the process. But the lesson here certainly proved a couple of things, I loved sewing and my family found a new scapegoat for all their mending needs.....and so it began!!

Making this little wall hanging has great meaning to me, in so many ways (all family) and all wonderful memories. Alice my grandmother would be so proud at how far I've come as a seamstress. But honestly I sing her praises each time I'm up against a tricky pattern or idea......she taught me everything one needs to know about sewing. She was a professional seamstress most of her life. Thanks grandma, I think of you often and miss you more!